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Proceeding contribution from Lord Lucas (Conservative) in the House of Lords on Monday, 1 March 2010. It occurred during Debate on bill on Digital Economy Bill [HL].


Digital Economy Bill [HL]

All I need the Government to say in response to this amendment is, "Yes, customers will be given precise instructions on what to do and will not be left to guesswork, to divination or to going on to Google to find out what might possibly work". There are two aspects to this amendment. The first deals with the precautions that a customer will be asked to take. If the Minister has looked at the latest Which? Computing, he will see that domestic routers are reviewed—and, indeed, that the model that I have is found to be fundamentally insecure, as is the model that I had previously. I bought mine at PC World, as it was one of the nicest looking ones around and did everything that was required of it. The only one that came out as totally secure was the BT router, which you cannot buy unless you have a BT account—which I do not, at least not in the relevant place. Being told that these particular brands of router will do what you want to do, and that this is what you do, is better than just being told, "Go and buy a router that complies", without leaving it absolutely clear which those are. Most people who are subject to these things will not feel technically confident and will need precise instructions. That especially applies to people who want to know how to defend themselves against an accusation. I have lived the past 40 years with computers of one form or another, and I would not know how to defend myself against an accusation that I had file-shared. How would I get proof? To give somebody a kit that they can use is going to be essential. I beg to move.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
717 c1297-8 
Session
2009-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Complaints Disclosure of information Compensation Codes of practice Consumers Broadcasting Civil proceedings Climate change Competition Computer networks Copyright Digital broadcasting Broadband Communication Fees and charges ICT EU law Investment Infrastructure Exemptions Emergency services Intellectual property Libraries Internet Electronic publishing Newspaper press Public service broadcasting Ofcom Music Radio frequencies Universities Telecommunications Regulation Repairs and maintenance Rural areas Information Commissioner's Office Subscriptions Internet service providers
Legislation
Digital Economy Bill (HL) 2009-10
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk